Fyona Wanjiku: Kenyan girl stuck in India since 2022 after losing two kidneys appeals for financial help

Fyona Wanjiku Kabitta has battled kidney disease since she was 7 and in Standard One. Her father, Walter Njoroge, was her first kidney donor in December 2011, after which she had a second transplant in February 2020.

Fyona, who has been in the New Delhi hospital since March 2022, is currently in a unique situation, surviving without a kidney after severe complications in June 2022 resulted in double ICU emergencies and the removal of the second kidney she received in 2020.

“Fyona's last short call was more than a year ago, in early June 2022, just before the emergency removal of the 2nd kidney. Dialysis and other complications especially blood pressure and cardio are taking a toll on her besides the kidney disease,” Mr Njoroge told Citizen Digital via phone from New Delhi.

Fyona's previous operation was scheduled for July 28, but she was unable to attend due to financial constraints, according to her family. Njoroge stated that they had exhausted all of their resources, including his insurance coverage.

“In addition to the medical expenses, we have had to also cater for accommodation and logistics. While I have to keep pushing on and remaining strong and positive, it has been overwhelming,” says the single father of two.

“Sadly, their mum was overwhelmed by our daughter's suffering and suddenly passed on after a heart attack in February 2019.”

The family estimates that a gross estimate of Ksh.4.9 million is required to cover Fyona's pre-op specialised bloodwork, antibodies recheck tests, the kidney transplant itself, and local post-op care in India and at home.

“We are praying to and believing God for her healing and financial breakthrough so that we get a new operation date. We would like to see Fyona return to a normal life after all the struggle,” says Njoroge, adding that his daughter is still in Form Two.

Njoroge can be reached via WhatsApp at 0716 727012, and donations to Fyona's treatment can be made via M-Pesa Paybill number 222111, Account number 1913797.

Jayne Githere (Mobile number 0722 411510) is the drive’s treasurer.